All Topics  
Torx

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Torx
 
 
  Topics Torx Topic Home

TORX, developed by Camcar LLC of Acument Global Technologies (formerly Camcar Textron
Textron

Founded in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company by Royal Little, Textron , today is a multi-industry company with a portfolio of familiar brands such as Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others....
), is the trademark for a type of screw
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
 head characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern (in the same way that slotted heads, Phillips, hex socket
Hex key

A hex key, also known as an Allen, zeta, or Unbrako key or wrench, is a tool of hexagonal cross-section used to drive Screw#Fasteners with a non-tapered shafts and screw#Fasteners with a tapered shaft s that have a hexagonal socket in the head ....
, and Robertson
Robertson screwdriver

A Robertson screwdriver is a type of screwdriver with a Square -shaped tip with a slight taper . Robertson screws are used mainly in Canada , though they can be found elsewhere....
 have linear, cruciform
Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run diagonally, the design is technically termed a saltire....
, hexagon
Hexagon

In geometry, a hexagon is a polygon with six edges and six Vertex . A regular hexagon has Schl?fli symbol ....
al, and square
Square (geometry)

In Euclidean geometry, a square is a regular polygon with four equal sides and four equal angles . A square with vertices ABCD would be denoted ....
 tips, respectively). People unfamiliar with the trademark generally use the term star, as in star screwdriver or star bits.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Torx'
Start a new discussion about 'Torx'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


TORX, developed by Camcar LLC of Acument Global Technologies (formerly Camcar Textron
Textron

Founded in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company by Royal Little, Textron , today is a multi-industry company with a portfolio of familiar brands such as Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others....
), is the trademark for a type of screw
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
 head characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern (in the same way that slotted heads, Phillips, hex socket
Hex key

A hex key, also known as an Allen, zeta, or Unbrako key or wrench, is a tool of hexagonal cross-section used to drive Screw#Fasteners with a non-tapered shafts and screw#Fasteners with a tapered shaft s that have a hexagonal socket in the head ....
, and Robertson
Robertson screwdriver

A Robertson screwdriver is a type of screwdriver with a Square -shaped tip with a slight taper . Robertson screws are used mainly in Canada , though they can be found elsewhere....
 have linear, cruciform
Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run diagonally, the design is technically termed a saltire....
, hexagon
Hexagon

In geometry, a hexagon is a polygon with six edges and six Vertex . A regular hexagon has Schl?fli symbol ....
al, and square
Square (geometry)

In Euclidean geometry, a square is a regular polygon with four equal sides and four equal angles . A square with vertices ABCD would be denoted ....
 tips, respectively). People unfamiliar with the trademark generally use the term star, as in star screwdriver or star bits. The generic name is hexalobular internal driving feature and is standardised by the International Organization for Standardization
International Organization for Standardization

The International Organization for Standardization , widely known as ISO , is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations....
 as ISO 10664. TORX is frequently styled Torx despite the official all-caps
All caps

In typography, all caps refers to text or a typeface in which all letters are capital letters.All caps is usually used for emphasis. It is commonly seen in the titles on book covers, advertising, billboard , and in dramatic newspaper headlines....
 trademark styling.

By design, TORX head screws resist cam-out
Cam out

To cam out is a process by which a screwdriver slips out of the head of a screw being driven once the torque required to turn the screw exceeds a certain amount....
 better than Phillips head
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
 or slot head
Screw

A screw is a shaft with a helix groove or screw thread formed on its surface and provision at one end to turn the screw. Its main uses are as a threaded fastener used to hold objects together, and as a simple machine used to translate torque into linear force....
 (flathead) screws. Where Phillips heads were designed to cause the driver to cam out, to prevent over-tightening, TORX heads were designed to prevent it. The reason for this was the development of better torque
Torque

Torque is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis . Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
-limiting automatic screwdrivers for use in factories. Rather than relying on the tool slipping out of the screw head when a torque level is reached, and thereby risking damage to the driver tip, screw head and workpiece, the drivers were designed to achieve a desired torque consistently. Camcar LLC claims this can increase tool bit life by ten times or more.

TORX drive system was developed in the Camcar Technical center, located in Rockford, Illinois.

TORX screws are commonly found on automobile
Automobile

An automobile or motor car is a wheeled motor vehicle for transportation passengers, which also carries its own car engine or motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally f...
s, hard disk drives, computer
Computer

A computer is a machine that manipulates Data according to a list of Code .The first devices that resemble modern computers date to the mid-20th century , although the computer concept and various machines similar to computers existed earlier....
 systems (Compaq
Compaq

Compaq Computer Corporation was an United States personal computer company founded in 1982, and is now a brand name of Hewlett-Packard Company....
 uses almost exclusively T15 screws) and consumer electronics
Consumer electronics

Consumer electronics include electronic equipment intended for everyday use. Consumer electronics are most often used in entertainment, communications and office productivity....
. Initially, they were used in applications requiring tamper-resistance since the drive systems and screwdrivers were not widely available; as drivers became more common, tamper-resistant variants, as described below, were developed. Today, TORX screws are also becoming increasingly popular in construction industries.

Camcar LLC developed an improved profile, designated TORX PLUS.

Sizing

TORX head sizes are described using the capital letter "T", followed by a number. A smaller number corresponds to a smaller point-to-point dimension of the screw head. Common sizes include T10, T15 and T25, although they reach as high as T100. Only the proper driver can drive a specific head size without risk of ruining the driver or screw. The same series of TORX drivers is used to drive SAE
Society of Automotive Engineers

SAE International is a professional organization for mobility engineering professionals in the aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicle industries....
, metric and other thread system fasteners, reducing the number of bit sizes required.

Variants

Torx Driver Secure
*A version known as Security TORX, Tamper-Resistant TORX (often shortened to Torx TR), or pin-in-Torx contains a post in the center of the head that prevents a standard TORX driver (or a straight screwdriver) from being inserted.

  • An external TORX version exists, where the screw head has the shape of a TORX screwdriver bit, and a special TORX socket is used to drive it. These are found primarily on automobile engines.


  • A TORX variant, TORX PLUS, is designed to allow greater torque, and to minimize wear. Currently, TORX PLUS heads and drivers are patented, slowing adoption in the marketplace, but is licenced to a number of tool manufacturers including Camcar and Facom . The specifications for these licences are held by Textron
    Textron

    Founded in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company by Royal Little, Textron , today is a multi-industry company with a portfolio of familiar brands such as Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others....
    . Standard TORX drivers can be used to drive TORX PLUS screws, but TORX PLUS drivers will not fit standard TORX screws. They are shortened to 'Torx TS'.


  • There is also a tamper resistant version of TORX PLUS, having five lobes and solid post in the center. This is used for tamper resistance as the drivers are still hard to obtain, and are given the designation 'Torx TX'.


  • Another variant, , which is also hexalobular as the original TORX, is designed to allow greater stick-fit, and to minimize the wobbling. Currently, TTAP heads and drivers are patented, slowing adoption in the marketplace. Standard TORX drivers can be used to drive TTAP screws, but TTAP drivers will not fit standard TORX screws. There is also a tamper resistant version of TTAP.


  • TORX screws and screwdrivers with triangle-shaped sockets and heads are used in the Netherlands and cannot be found in North America.


External links